Suzuki will leave MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season, just 7 years after re-entering the premier class.
During the 500cc period, the Japanese manufacturer was a dominant force in MotoGP, with riders like as Barry Sheene, Marco Lucchinelli, Franco Uncini, Kevin Schwantz, and Kenny Roberts Jr. claiming world championships.
Suzuki remained in MotoGP after switching to the four-stroke format, but was forced to leave at the end of the 2011 season because of financial problems, despite only fielding one car for Alvaro Bautista.
In the years since, it has rebuilt the project and returned full-time in 2015, being race victors again in 2016 at Silverstone, with Maverick Vinales winning his first MotoGP race since 2007.
Suzuki earned their first world championship in 20 years in 2020, thanks to Joan Mir.
Suzuki’s executives assembled all members of the MotoGP squad on Monday and informed them of the company’s choice of leaving the championship at the end of the year, according to Motorsport.com.
All members of the team were taken aback by the decision.
A formal statement is expected within the next few hours.
The unexpected news has cast doubt on the futures of 2020 world champion Mir and three-time world champion Alex Rins.
Rins’ career is still up in the air at this point.
Suzuki had a difficult season last year as it sought to deal with the retirement of long-time team head David Brivio to Alpine in Formula 1.
Shinichi Sahara, the project leader, took on the position of de facto team boss, but realised it was too much for him and enlisted the help of ex-Honda and Ducati CEO Livio Suppo for 2022.
Both Mir and Rins had only a one-year deal with Suzuki, with the former indicating in the preseason that he intended to stay with the Japanese manufacturer.
Rins also revealed last week in Portugal that Suzuki has expressed interest in keeping him in 2023.
Below are some of the most well-known MOTOGP riders’ uniforms, all of which are available at reasonable costs. Visit our link now if you are interested in the racing clothing collection:
Alex Rins, Joan Mir, Jack Miller, Grand Prix, MOTO, Moto racing, Motocross, MotoGP, MXGP, Suzuki